LETTER OF THE MONTH
Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM
GOING BACK TO CALI
I'm the guy who called your offices a year or so ago and asked you about doing a story on J Dilla. Then I called you the very next day and informed you of his death. That still amazes me to this day because I remember the first time I ever heard a song of his and went crazy trying to find out who produced it and where I could get it. The song was “Players” and, of course, the group was Slum Village. I ran down to the one and only Tower Records in Atlanta (remember when you could actually go to Tower Records?) and a kid named Brad walked me over to the Rap/R&B section and showed me where the Slum Village CD single was. He also suggested that, if I liked J Dilla, I'd like this guy named Madlib as well. I've been a fan of both of those guys ever since.
I haven't felt energized by what I've been hearing in music lately. Here in the “A,” you get inundated by snap music, trap music and strip-club jams (trust me, if you want to hear the freshest, go to the strip club; so I guess you can say that I go there for…uh…“research”). I said to myself, “Is this all that there is?” So I got on the Net, and by accident, I came across an old review of this album 1983 by an artist called Flying Lotus. I'm not from California, and when I was out there going to electronics school for the Navy in San Diego, I never made it up to Los Angeles. But after listening to this guy's album, I wanted to get on a flight to go thank this dude. He's given my ears what they've been missing for a while: shock and awe.
So I go Internet digging again and find myself starting at noon and finishing up around 8 p.m. I felt so ravenous for this music that I can sorta understand how a crack fiend feels — just gimme one more hit! And through digging for Flying Lotus, I found out about Dr. Who Dat?, Ras G, Black Monk and FLYamSAM — simply amazing stuff. I buy these albums online to show my support, too. My point is that I try not to be on the Internet too much — I mean, I have a life, you know? But if anyone can remember the first time they heard or saw something that was stunning enough to snap them out of a rut in their lives — that's how I felt about this music. Anyone who has ever stayed up for two to three days straight working on a track can never forget that rush when you just know that this song is the bomb! I felt that when I heard Madlib the first time, I felt that when I heard J Dilla, and now I'm feeling it with these amazing California artists. Now I can truly say “I'm awake again!”
Billy Northam
Kennesaw, Ga.
I WANT A PUPPY!
I recently saw your magazine on a newsstand. What caught my eye was that you had an article of Skinny Puppy in your April issue. I was so excited! They're one of my favorite bands. Thank so much for interviewing them. It was interesting how they set up their live shows. I've never been to one, though. I've only seen them on the Internet, and their shows are great! It's sad to say that they're not as popular anymore. I've read many reviews (for their new album, Mythmaker) saying “Who listens to Skinny Puppy anymore? People their own age?” I believe that's completely untrue! I'm 15, and I listen to them. I really like their Mythmaker album. I actually made a tribute video for their song “Politikil” and posted it on YouTube. Anyway, getting back on topic, thank you so much for interviewing them and including it in your magazine. I really enjoyed it. You guys rock!
Kaylie
Via e-mail
GO RESPECT YOURSELF
Perhaps I haven't noticed it until now, but I am now somewhat upset with you folks at Remix — especially regarding a couple of ads you allowed in the June 2007 issue of the magazine. I enjoy reading and seeing who's doing what and how in current music, and I even like seeing ads for certain products or events or whatever from time to time. What I don't like to see is the use of sexuality in advertising. Come on, everywhere you look now people are using sex and pushing it down people's throats. We get it — sex sells — but is it good for society? I certainly don't need to see some hot girl practically naked to promote an MP3 site or some DJ software. I really haven't noticed ads like those in your magazine until this June issue — the Beatport ad (see p. 15) and the Deckadance ad (see p. 52), which is really distasteful. I respect the fact that you need to create ad revenue, but please consider how the use of sexuality in your ads reflects your magazine just as much as you would consider not advertising drugs or alcohol or any other ill things that would reflect poorly on your magazine.
Anonymous
Via e-mail
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
I'm a Remix subscriber and a DJ. I am curious about the “digital DJing revolution” because I appreciate the use of new technology to increase musical creativity. I am trying to evaluate the MIDI control options for the basic laptop and controller configuration. It looks like the two major competing products that are available right now are the Numark Total Control and the Vestax VCI-100. I am intentionally omitting the beautiful Allen & Heath products since they are out of my price range. Would you be able to compare the Vestax and Numark products and possibly give a recommendation as well?
Marc Gustafson
San Diego, Calif.
We're on the case, but we don't have a crystal ball. We have one of the first VCI-100s available in our grubby mitts now, and we'll have a review next month in the September issue. At press time, the Total Control was still not shipping, but we'll snag one ASAP and have a review in the October or November issue. These reviews should help you decide. In the meantime, because you have budget concerns, note the disparity in list price: $449 for the Numark and $699 for the Vestax. — Markkus Rovito
For sending in this month's winning letter, Billy Northam wins his own Frontier Design Group TranzPort (MSRP $249) wireless DAW control. If you send in the most inspired correspondence next month — or simply the letter we like best — you'll win the Numark DJ iO USB audio interface (MSRP: $199). All you have to do is send an e-mail to remixeditorial@remixmag.com. Please include your full mailing address.
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